The Effect of Ethanol Upon Systemic and Hepatic Blood Flow in Man

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Abstract
The use of indocyanine green in the constant infusion method of estimating hepatic blood flow is described. In nine subjects under control conditions, the mean hepatic blood flow was found to be 0.92 L. per minute per M2. In eight subjects in whom cardiac output was determined simultaneously, the mean hepatic flow was 0.83 L. per minute per M2. and the corresponding mean cardiac output 3.38 L. per minute per M2. The mean hepatic flow fraction in these eight subjects was 0.240. During infusion of ethanol at a rate of 0.5 to 0.8 gm. per minute the mean hepatic blood flow rose to 1.09 L. per minute per M2. and the corresponding total cardiac output to 4.46 L. per minute per M2. The hepatic flow fraction remained essentially constant at 0.246. Ethanol had no significant effect on systemic arterial or hepatic venous pressures. Changes in calculated peripheral and splanchnic vascular resistance were inversely proportional to the effects upon flow. These results suggest that the net effect of ethanol upon the hepatic circulation is proportional to that upon the systemic circulation.